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Leading the way through NVQs
Congratulations to employees from EHS&Q Monitoring Services and Decommissioning who recently received their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificates at a joint awards presentation.
Over 40 employees picked up their certificates. Fran Williams, EHS&Q Director presented the health physics monitors with their certificates while Jim Whitehead head of Directorate Support, and Stephen Smith, head of Operations, Magnox Swarf Storage Silo presented teams from Decommissioning with their NVQ awards.
Caroline Henderson, EHS&Q NVQ coordinator said: “As the internal verifier for the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Decommissioning programmes I see every portfolio which is completed and I am constantly surprised by the effort and hard work people put into their portfolios.
“As coordinator, I have had an involvement in the Learning and Development awards which were completed in partnership with Kennedy Business Consultancy Ltd. These were a mix of coaching, assessor and Learning and Development awards, I myself received the Level 4 Management of L&D which is helping me in my current role.”
To date 240 health physics monitors at Sellafield have either completed, are working towards or are waiting to start their NVQ level 2 which is equivalent to two thirds of the health physics monitors working on site.
This is a fantastic achievement for Sellafield which leads the way for this award across the industry. Eleven health physics team leaders are also working towards the Level 3 Diploma in Radiation Protection.
Gary Linford, a health physics monitor in the Vitrification plant was one of the successful candidates. He said: “I’ve enjoyed doing the NVQ, it’s been really worthwhile. The natural occurring evidence of my day to day job has helped me meet the performance criteria and the knowledge elements of the NVQ.”
Sean Kerr, Decommissioning assessor said: “Over the last year I have assessed 12 candidates to completion of the Level 2 award. This includes observing them on day to day tasks. Completing the award gives them more confidence to have a greater input into tasks they perform.
“I am now working with six team leaders on the Level 3 Decommissioning Supervisory portfolios and I am very pleased with the performance so far.”
